Division can give you a bigger quotient

I have started my lists of “Things to do, accomplish, and/or start” for 2012. As the list seemed to be spread from one sheet of paper to three separate pads of paper I realized it was time to do some math. In order to be the best wife, mother, daughter, teacher, writer, speaker, and woman God has called me to be…I need to work on my math.

2011 was an amazing, busy, overwhelming, and blessed year for my writing career. By year’s end I added “speaker” and found such joy and healing through the preparation and presentation. The overflowing of blessings that followed is the cherry on top of a fabulous, God orchestrated sundae. I love people, always have. I think that is why waitressing at Dahl’s Diner is still one of my favorite memories in life. We are all so different yet at the heart, we are so similar.

One of my goals for 2012 is to secure at least one speaking engagement a month. This is a wonderful way to meet people, share my story, Heidi and the hope and healing of a relationship with Jesus with so many that hurt. While it might be one or two evenings out, it is hours of prayer and preparation for a successful evening. In connection with the speaking engagements I hope to participate in some more craft shows and bazaar, I met so many wonderful people during Christmas in Mexico. This was a great time of networking and of fellowship with my readers.

I want to continue to blog daily, revise/edit – “Where’s Heidi?” while working on two other books I’m playing with. And of course all this while wearing my wife and mom hat, working full time as a teacher’s assistant, volunteering at church, staying involved with my daughter’s life and school, and being there for my parents, family, and friends. This all requires time. 
     If you have ever read any of the books about love languages, my primary is definitely “quality time” with “acts of service” and “words of affirmation” in a close tie for second. I think acts of service require time so maybe it is a tie for first, hmm, anyway – everything on my list requires time. In order to accomplish the goals and hopes for 2012, I MUST look at the sum of all the lists and divide. If I am going to be successful and achieve any of my goals with grace and joy I will need to eliminate something on the list.

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I won’t do eenie-meeny-miny-mo for something this serious (but maybe to pick between two great books at the bookstore I would, just ask Alex) so I will take it to God in prayer. With my current lists I will present them to Him and let Him guide my lines of elimination so I am doing and striving to be all I can be in His name, not my own. 
          The best thing about dividing your list of goals is you never know when this division will actually multiply the blessings God has in store for you this coming year.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21

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